'Grandma Deb' helps make Sagle Elementary a safe, happy place
Every Tuesday, Deb Holmes (or Grandma Deb) is part of Sagle Elementary School's support network. When students are having a rough day or missing mom, they count on Grandma Deb's encouraging tone and supportive words. She is a member of Sagle Parent Watch, a volunteer organization that supports student safety and the district's One Trusted Adult initiative. Pictured smiling with Grandma Deb in the school library is second grader Adeline Libbers.
Photo courtesy LAKE PEND OREILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Every Tuesday, Deb Holmes (or Grandma Deb) is part of Sagle Elementary School's support network. When students are having a rough day or missing mom, they count on Grandma Deb's encouraging tone and supportive words. She is a member of Sagle Parent Watch, a volunteer organization that supports student safety and the district's One Trusted Adult initiative. Pictured smiling with Grandma Deb in the school library is second grader Adeline Libbers.
SAGLE — On Tuesdays, the kids of Sagle Elementary affectionately call her Grandma Deb throughout the lively hallways and energetic classrooms of their small, rural school.
From parents and bus drivers to kids and teachers, everyone knows Deb Holmes, a committed Sagle Parent Watch volunteer and friendly school matriarch.
She takes pride in being a good citizen.
“I feel at home in this community and I want the kids to feel at home. I try to make it a happy, safe place,” Holmes said.
In its second year, Sagle Parent Watch invites parents and guardians to be in the school as role models to help children solve programs in healthy ways. But SPW, which was founded by parent Tara Laub, a member of the District Safety Task Force, is also a school safety initiative.
And both Holmes and Bryan Tonyan have been there since its inception, volunteering all day once a week, ensuring doors and gates are secure, greeting students as they arrive and refereeing soccer matches on the playground.
“It's just extra vigilance,” said Chris Davis, Sagle principal.
Originally a safety and security program, “when Deb and Bryan came on board, parent watch truly morphed into one more trusted adult; one more person that you can go to if you're having a rough day, if someone hurt your feelings, if you are missing your mom, or if you want to celebrate,” Davis said.
Developing trust with kids, that’s Grandma Deb’s specialty.
“She is incredibly empathetic. She just naturally can have organic conversations with kids about making stronger choices,” Davis said.
Now, Sagle is interested in helping SPW grow. Davis hopes parents or guardians can spend even half a day in their child’s school life. Volunteers monitor entrances, help with bus unloading, provide playground supervision, assist in the lunchroom and more.
“Get a feel for our school — I feel like it really bridges that connection between home and school,” Davis said.
Holmes agrees.
“With volunteering, you get what you give. Once you do it, you get hooked. On Tuesdays, I won’t even go fishing with my husband,” Holmes jokes. SPW volunteers must be affiliated (parent or guardian) with a Sagle student. Complete a volunteer application and return it to Sagle. If approved, LPOSD requires a background check as part of the vetting process.
Deb Holmes, a committed Sagle Parent Watch volunteer and friendly school matriarch, helps a student at Sagle Elementary recently.Darren Svan is the community relations liaison for the Lake Pend Oreille School District.